Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a right knee disorder and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection for his right knee and low back conditions are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the previous VA examinations.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary to obtain private treatment records and ensure the record contains an adequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral leg amputation was caused or aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral wrist disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The case is remanded to obtain the Veteran's complete service personnel records and verify stressors. Another examination is needed to assess hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bone sclerosis, right hip disorder, and right knee disorder are granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.,Service connection for the Veteran's hemorrhoids is also granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.,Service connection for left knee patellofemoral arthritis, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral elbow cubital tunnel syndrome has been granted. ,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder with alcoholism) has also been granted.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals/effects of a dental abscess and root canal was denied in the August 2009 rating decision.

The Board has granted ratings for right and left knee disabilities, but denied higher ratings. The Veteran appealed these denials to the Veterans Claims Court, which issued a JMPR vacating the denial of higher ratings for limitation of flexion and extension. This decision requires remand to obtain retrospective medical opinions regarding the severity of the knee disabilities without medication.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board has found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The issues of service connection for left great toe condition, left knee condition, and right foot condition have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected knee and hip conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to June 17, 2009. The Board has remanded the case for extraschedular TDIU consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remands and a need for further examination of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Board has dismissed the claim for a left knee strain rating and remanded the claims for right knee strain and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted for the period since February 15, 2015. The effective date of this grant is set at February 15, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for various orthopedic conditions, including low back, cervical spine, left shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and ankle conditions. The Veteran's hypertension was also not found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee total arthroplasty with instability and muscle atrophy prior to September 25, 2019 is denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 60 percent.

The Board has remanded several issues including the right knee rating, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea, and TDIU due to lack of information regarding the severity of the Veteran's conditions and potential secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired mental disorder and for increased ratings for his left, right knee, and right foot disabilities. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for these claims.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral foot disorder, left ankle condition, left knee disability, and left hip disability as there was no evidence of a nexus to service or any other related conditions. The skin and prostate disabilities were also not granted service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting medical evidence and incomplete development of records related to her claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right shoulder tear with arthroscopic surgery, left and right knee meniscal tears, IBS, and ventral hernia, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim based on this finding.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, right hip, left knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.